Have you ever driven at night when the fog was so thick you couldn’t see 2″ in front of the car? I’ve been there and I’m there now, spiritually speaking. I know there are just times like these where you have to stay the course and continue putting one foot in front of the other and just trust God to lead the way. Then there are other times where you just need to stop at the next rest stop and just wait it out. So many times in my life, my lack of clarity is due to the fact that I put all these other things before God… my priorities are so out of whack that my vision is blurred and I just get this sense that I’m wondering around in a circle. It’s not until I change my priorities and confess my mistakes that the fog is lifted and I can see clearly the path that God has for me.
I’ve been making some changes lately, mainly because I realize my life’s about to change in a very big, real way in less than 4 months. I’m trying to drop some weight and I’ve started running again and eating right, just little things that will push me to live a more active lifestyle, not one that consists of just doing what’s easy or comfortable. I’ve built a clearly defined comfort zone for myself all these years and I’ve got to fight with everything in me to venture outside of it. Same holds true for me spiritually as well… they seem to have a lot in common actually. Laziness and apathy are like kudzu, they spread like crazy until everything good is choked out and left for dead.
It’s always been amazing to me that God can find us exactly where we are. When we’re at our whits end and stuck in the fog and can’t tell up from down, left from right – He comes in and gives us clarity. After my run this morning I was reading in Proverbs 9 & Psalm 119, here’s just a few key verses He showed me:
Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice: “Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me! I’ve prepared a wonderful spread—fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines. Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning.” ~Prov. 9:3-6 Message
You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me. How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted. Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road. Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders. I’m a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions. My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—insatiable for your nourishing commands. ~Psalm 119:1-10;17-20 Message
So today I’m asking God to forgive me, for not making Him my first priority (among other things). Consequently, the fog is slowly lifting and I’m starting to see once again.
